The King and His Reign I: Prince George's Education

Non-fiction ~ essay
Published in The Spectator, 22nd February 1935
1,295 words
(First read 02/12/2014)

"What do you mean 'Four's too young for the Navy'?"

In this the first of twelve articles published to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V (1865-1936), EFB contrasts the prince's rearing with that of his father Edward VII (1841-1910).  The latter had a miserable, lonely childhood thanks to his parents¹ and so, to ensure that his son didn't suffer the same fate, packed young George off to the Navy at the earliest possible opportunity, along with the ill-fated heir to the throne Prince Albert Victor (1864-92)².
That's pretty much it, actually.  It's available to read online here.


¹ See King Edward VII: An Appreciation (1933) and The Baron (1937), etc.
² I daresay Edward found kids a bit style-cramping as well.

The Baron

Non-fiction ~ review
Published in The Spectator, 16th April 1937
850 words
(Read 15/05/2014)

A review of Victoria's Guardian Angel: A Study of Baron Stockmar, by Pierre Crabites.  The said baron was a crony of Queen Victoria's uncle Leopold I, King of the Belgians, sent to the UK to act as adviser to the Queen and Prince Albert.  In his book Crabites argues that the baron was a massive power behind the throne; EFB believes that Crabites exaggerates his influence and importance.
The article can be read online here.